Health Alert: Nearly a Quarter of American Children Affected by Parental Substance Abuse. Using data from
the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers estimate that nearly 19 million children in the United
States live with a parent or primary caregiver who abuses alcohol, cannabis, or illicit or prescription drugs.
JAMA Pediatrics, May 2025
Diet: Nuts and Seeds Safe for Diverticulitis Patients. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill report that contrary to long-standing dietary advice, patients with diverticulitis should have no issue consuming
nuts, seeds, or even fruits with seeds. Annals of Internal Medicine, May 2025
Exercise: One Reason Physical Activity Declines with Age… Northeastern University researchers report that
physical activity has a positive effect on the salience network—a part of the brain that regulates attention and selfcontrol,
including the ability to resist sedentary impulses. In less active individuals, this network begins to lose
integrity around age 50, which may help explain the decline in physical activity commonly seen in midlife. In
contrast, individuals who remain physically active throughout life tend to maintain better function in this network,
supporting continued engagement in exercise.
Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, May 2025
Chiropractic: Deep Spinal Muscles May Contribute to Chronic Low Back Pain. The lumbar multifidus is a deep
spinal stabilizing muscle situated along the vertebrae in the lower back, essential for providing segmental support
and controlling precise movements of the lumbar spine. Current research indicates that atrophy, fatty infiltration, and
abnormal function of the lumbar multifidus are correlated with non-specific chronic low back pain. These findings
suggest that healthcare providers should assess the condition of the lumbar multifidus and incorporate targeted
interventions to strengthen and restore its function as part of a comprehensive chronic low back pain management
strategy. Pain Practice, June 2025
Mental Attitude: ADHD May Slow Concussion Recovery. According to a study that looked at the outcomes of
nearly 1,000 student athletes who sustained a concussion, those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
took 17% and 16% longer to return to sports and class, respectively. Journal of Athletic Training, May 2025
Wellness/Prevention: Breastfeeding Benefits Mother and Child. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences notes that breast milk provides infants with essential antibodies and beneficial microbes that
support the development of their immune system and can protect them from infection and auto-immune-related
conditions such as asthma. Additionally, women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of high blood pressure, type 2
diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Unfortunately, only 24.9% of infants in the United States are exclusively
breastfed during the first six months of life. University of Florida, May 2025
Quote: “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” ~ Margaret Fuller
Joseph T. Megna, D.C.
(707) 226-5200
DRJOEMEGNA
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Rio Vista region.